MONTANA INSECT PESTS, 1955-1956 21 



CLOTHES MOTH (Tinea sp.J 



One case of clothes moth damage was handled by this office. 

 This inquiry originated in Richland County. 



BLACK WIDOW SPIDER (Latrodectus mactans) 



Although these arthropods are fairly common in the state they 

 seldom become a problem. Only when nouses have been vacated for 

 a period of time is control necessary. 



STRAWBERRY ROOT WEEVIL (Brachyrhinus ovatus) 



Every year strawberry root weevil adults wander into a number 

 of houses over the state resulting in questions concerning identification 

 and control from the owners. Five to 10 such inquiries are answered 

 each year. 



SWALLOW BUGS (Oeciacus vicarius) 



During 1956 a schoolhouse in Lewis and Clark County was heavily 

 infested with these bird parasites. Some children received painful bites 

 but removal of the swallow nests and application of insecticides brought 

 the insects under control. 



POWDER POST BEETLE (Stephanopachys substriatus) 



An infestation of a newly constructed residence in Billings was 

 recorded during 1956. 



ORIBATID MITES (Acarina: Oribatidae) 



These unusual pests occurred in a commercial building in Billings. 

 Their source was traced to pigeon nests in an abandoned ventilating 

 system. 



INSECTS OF MAN AND ANIMALS 



MOSQUITOES (Diptera: Culicidae) 



With preliminary studies completed to indicate the sources of 

 mosquitoes in the Milk River Valley, the work during the present 

 biennium was concentrated on land and water use techniques needed 

 to prevent mosquito build-up. In addition, chemical evaluations are 

 now being conducted to find out which insecticides are best under 

 the existing conditions. 



